Gulfport Energy Corp., Oklahoma City, reported production test results on two operated Utica shale wells in eastern Ohio.

Continental Resources Inc., Oklahoma City, the top producer and leaseholder in the Williston basin Bakken play, said it increased its end-2012 proved reserves 54% to 785 million bbl of oil equivalent, 72% oil.

Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. said it intends to drill a minimum of four Utica test wells in Ohio this year. If results are similar to those experienced by offset operators in the area, then further development on the leasehold position is planned later in the year.

Production of extra heavy crude oil began late in December from the first well operated by the Petrocarabobo joint venture in the Orinoco oil belt of Venezuela.

Calik Enerji has spudded Giremir-1, initial exploratory well on the Sinan license in southeastern Turkey, said Anatolia Energy Corp., Calgary.

Apache Corp., Houston, said it has partnered with Halliburton and Schlumberger to find ways to use natural gas to power hydraulic fracturing, one of the most energy-intensive processes employed by the industry.

Alberta Oilsands Inc., Calgary, has responded to the last request from Alberta officials for supplementary information in its application for a pilot project to produce bitumen with solvent-steam injection at its Clearwater acreage in northeastern Alberta.

Southern Pacific Resources Corp. said rail shipments have begun of diluted bitumen (dilbit) produced at its STP-McKay thermal oil sands project in Alberta to a terminal in Mississippi as production at the project ramps up (OGJ Online, Oct. 11, 2012).

The US Environmental Protection Agency released an update on 18 research projects connected to its study of hydraulic fracturing’s possible impacts on drinking water supplies.

A new state-by-state study estimates total unconventional oil and gas production in the Lower 48 will contribute $63 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues in 2012, with contributions rising to nearly $113 by 2020, said IHS.

Dominion and Caiman Energy II LLC are forming a $1.5 billion joint venture to provide midstream services to natural gas producers operating in the Utica shale in Ohio and portions of Pennsylvania.  The companies expect to close on the joint venture by Dec. 31.